Improvement in step-ladders



c. GpUDELL.` Step-Ladders.

No'.'199,oo4. Patented Jan. 8,1878` UNITEDSTATEsPATENT OFFICE.;

cnnvnv` `eaUDELL, or mDIAivAPoLis,i1NDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEP-LADDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 199,004, dated January 8, 1878; application filed June 7, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN G. UDELL, of Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a description:

The obj ect of my invention is a step-ladder with an adjustable self-supporting top extension-step, and with a gravity-catch that shall operate automatically to hold and release the bracing-frame.

My invention consists, rst, in providing at the sides of the rear bracing-frame a loop or staple, which may form part of the main brace, or be attached to the bracing-frame, and in which operates a brace that is pivoted to the hinged bracket forming the adjustable extension step. The sliding brace is forked at the lower end, so as to catch the sides of the staple or loop, and thus supports the extension-step. When lowering the eX- tension the staples or loops serve as guides, and allow the braces to fold up alongside of the bracing-frame.

My invention further consists in attaching a swinging gravity weight-catch either to the stiles, or to the lower part of the main bracketplate secured to the stiles, in such a manner that when the bracing-frame is extended the gravity-catch will engage with a notch framed in the end of the brace 'attached to the bracing-frame, and hold the ladder eX- tended. The gravity-catch automatically releases the brace when the ladder is tipped forward at the top, and thus allows the bracingframe to be closed up against the stile.

In the drawing, Figure l is a side elevation of a step-ladder embodying my improvement, and shows the ladder ready for use, with the extension elevated. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the ladder closed up and extension down.

A is the top step, secured to the stiles D by the bracket-plate G C, in the usual manner, and supported in an inclined position by the bracing-frame G, secured by the socket-hinge E' E E and brace M.

The bracket-plate C G is provided with offset sides O O, so as to allow the brace M to slide between the plate and stile, as usual. At or near the lower part of the bracket-plate C O is hung the gravity-catch with the arm r of which engages a shoulder, a, at the imder side of the main brace M.

When the ladder is tilted back the catch will assume the position shown in Fig. l, and hold the bracing-ame G extended; but when the ladder is tipped forward at the top the weight w, holding its perpendicular position, causes the shoulder a to fall below the arm r of brace M, and automatically release the bracin g-frame, which then can be folded up against the stile. f" X To the rear end of the brasket-plate C O, which is extended to near the rear edge 4of thefront top step, are pivoted brackets F, carrying an extension piece or step, B, which may be raised or lowered at will, and to the sides of the bracket F are pivoted sliding braces J, in the manner shown.

The lower end of each brace J isv formed with a fork, the prong h being shorter vthan the prong h1, and being provided with a lug, h2, to prevent the brace J from being drawn out of a loop or staple, K, on the frame G.

When the step B is elevated, as in Fig. 1, the prong h of brace J slips over the side of the staple or loop K, and supports the step, as shown.

When the brace J is released from its bearings on the side of the loop or staple K, it will slide downward, guided by the staple, and the step B will be lowered, as shown in Fig. 2.

The loop or staple K may form part of the main brace M, as shown in the drawing, or may be separate and' attached to the sides of the bracing-frame G.

lt will be seen that the arms M may be secured to the step-ame D, and the automatic catches to the frame G, and that other de- .vices may be used for tracing the steps B.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

'1. The combination of the step-frame, the bracing-frame G, arms M, extending from one frame past the other, and a weighted catch, automatically securing the arm when the ladder is tilted back, and automatically releasing it when `tilted forward, substantially as set forth.

2. The extension-piece B, hinged to and hanging downward from the rear edge of the top piece A, and adjustably` supported by In testimony whereof IhaVe-signedmy name braces, to form a rearward extension of said. to this speeioation in the presence of two top piece, as set forth. f subscribing Witnesses.

3. The combination in aste -ladder o eX- tension-step B, slidingZ brace Jhavingforked CALVIN G' UDELL' prongs h h at the lower end, and a, loop or Witnesses: staple, K, on the frame, substantially as speci- E. O. FRINK, ed. JOHN SHELLENBERGER. 

